Jan 7, 2014

07:05 AM

Connecticut Democrats Hammer Republicans on Minimum Wage

The Connecticut Democratic Party is hammering Republican gubernatorial candidates on their position on the minimum wage, signaling that the party will make it an issue as election season ramps up.

The state party is following the national Democratic Party in looking to seize on concerns about income inequality.

State Democrats produced a graphic showing Republican candidates for governor and GOP chairman Jerry Labriola in snow suits.

“The Connecticut GOP is cold as Ice…” the graphic says, “…When it comes to their anti-working families records: against state minimum wage increases; against federal minimum wage increases; against paid sick leave.”

This is not the first time the Democrats have hammered Republican candidates for their opinions on the state’s minimum wage. Connecticut’s minimum wage increased from $8.25 to $8.70 Jan. 1.

The Hartford Courant surveyed the candidates for governor on the issue, and none were publicly for it.

"Standing against working families, downplaying their struggles, and demeaning workers for earning the minimum wage makes it crystal clear how out of touch the GOP candidates for governor are with what's important to Connecticut residents," Connecticut Democratic Party Chair Nancy DiNardo said in a statement.